Author, Compulsively Readable Thrillers
Libby Fischer Hellmann 
Havana Lost has launched at last. Feedback has started to roll in. And I’m fascinated by how many readers say they are ‘disturbed’ by Frankie Pacelli’s transformation from a young vulnerable likeable girl into—well (spoiler alert averted), what she ultimately became.
My latest book, Havana Lost, goes live on Amazon this Friday. And I can’t help comparing what it used to be like launching a book with my traditional publishing head on to what it’s like releasing a self-published novel.
One of the most common question writers are asked is, “what made you start writing crime fiction?” For years I always answered the same way: I can tell you how and when I started writing, but I wasn’t exactly sure why. I didn’t plan it. I was going to be a film-maker. I have an … Read more
This is a reprint from CrimeSpree magazine but it appeared back in 2007. So I think it’s safe to say most of you never read it. I’ve updated it. As I wait for the reviews of Havana Lost to come in, I can’t help but remember the first (and only) first professional review I wrote. It was … Read more
Happy to report that you can pre-order the audio of Havana Lost at Audible. It sounds great: James Lewis and Diane Piron Gelman did a fabulous job — Listen to a sample of Havana Lost [mp3t track=”Retail-Sample-copy.mp3″ caption=”by Libby Fischer Hellmann” volslider=”y”] Enjoy!
This is a reprint of a column I wrote last month for Women’s Voices Magazine. The August issue is out tomorrow with a new column. I hope you’ll come on over and check it out. There are dozens of smart, articulate, talented women writing about everything you could imagine. You can find it here. … Read more
Happy to report that the HAVANA LOST video is the Shelf Awareness “Book Trailer of the Day!” You can find it here.
This installment of Writing Lite is a wrap-up of some language tips, all under the general umbrella of “Less is More.” It includes how much description and backstory to use, plus adjectives and words to strip out of your fiction.
Ex-VP of Global Online Sales and Operations at Google and a former Facebook CEO, Sheryl Sandberg is a powerful woman. Her best-selling first book Lean In – Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, deals with the importance for women to ‘lean into’ life to capitalize on both professional and personal opportunities. A heady mix, … Read more
This is a reprint of an essay that appears in the current Mystery Readers’ Journal, Fall edition, which is all about Chicago. The magazine also includes essays by nearly two dozen other Chicago authors, including Marcus Sakey, Michael Sherer, Jack Fredrickson, Sheldon Siegel, and others. For more, check it out here. Um… actually that’s a … Read more